Cannot Afford College or Qualify for Military

Feeling pretty lost guys: I'm realizing I might not be able to afford college, and military service isn't an option for me due to some health issues. What other careers or vocational training paths should I consider that could provide a stable future? I'm open to anything right now.

Sorry to hear that you're feeling lost right now, but there are still quite a lot of options available to you!

First, depending on your interests, there are plenty of vocational careers that do not require a traditional 4-year college degree. Some promising fields include:

- Health Careers: Many well-paying and stable jobs in the health care industry are accessible with an associate degree or less. For example, you can become a paramedic, radiologic technician, dental hygienist, or licensed nurse (LPN), which all pay well and are always in demand.

- Skilled Trades: Fields like electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and carpenters are essential to our society and can have excellent salaries. These jobs typically require an apprenticeship but not a college degree.

- Tech Jobs: With the rise of coding boot camps, you could learn to code and land a job as a web developer or software engineer. Some self-taught individuals are even able to break into these fields without formal education, though it takes a lot of self-study and diligence.

Second, have you considered community college? This could be a more affordable option that allows you to earn a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year school.

Finally, remember that financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of attending college, even if your family doesn't qualify for need-based aid. There are many scholarships out there based on merit, community service, hobbies, or demographic factors. So don't give up on the college track yet, as doing thorough research on scholarships and reaching out to financial aid offices of colleges you're interested in may reveal opportunities that you haven't considered yet!

Remember that there's no singular path to success, and navigating your career path is entirely personal. Explore your options and you're bound to find a path that suits you!